Kristen Stewart's Directorial Debut Lands with Boutique Distributor The Forge

Kristen Stewart's directorial debut, "The Chronology of Water," was acquired for domestic distribution by the boutique distributor, the Forge, a few months after its Cannes premiere in May. The film's acquisition marked a significant milestone for the relatively new sales entity, which has been gaining traction in the industry. According to founder Mark Mathias Sayre, the Forge was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented an opportunity for the company to rethink its approach to film distribution. "The COVID-19 pandemic gave me an opportunity to think, as a film producer, about what sales entity I would want to work with, to have a vehicle to release films that we were intending to produce," Sayre said in an interview. "We had some early success, and a couple of contemporaries asked if we would handle their sales or distribution. Fast forward a couple of years, and now it's all we're doing." The Chronology of Water, which premiered at Cannes in May, has been gaining attention for its unique storytelling and Stewart's directorial debut. The film follows the life of a woman who struggles to cope with the loss of her mother and her own identity. The movie has been praised for its poignant portrayal of grief and its exploration of themes such as trauma, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. The Forge's acquisition of The Chronology of Water is part of a larger trend of boutique distributors emerging in the industry. These companies are often founded by industry professionals who seek to create alternative distribution channels for independent films. According to industry experts, the rise of boutique distributors is a response to the changing landscape of the film industry, which has been shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift towards streaming services. "The pandemic accelerated the shift towards streaming, and it also created an opportunity for boutique distributors to emerge," said film industry expert, Lloyd Lee Choi. "These companies are able to offer a more personalized approach to film distribution, which can be beneficial for independent filmmakers who may not have the resources to work with larger distributors." The Chronology of Water is set to be released in the United States later this year, with the Forge handling domestic distribution. The film's success will be closely watched by industry professionals, who are eager to see how the boutique distributor will perform in the market.